Families and Students: 
 
As we approach Final Exams and the end of the semester, we are reminding students and families that free online tutoring is available from our teachers at convenient times, including nights and weekends.  To learn more, visit our Virtual Tutoring Webpage. 
 
Join us TONIGHT for the CEO Program’s Christmas at the Castle
Join us tonight for a special “Christmas at the Castle” event fully organized by JTHS CEO students from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Joliet Central High School. This free, family-friendly event features games, kids’ activities, local vendors, holiday treats, a toy donation center, and photos with Santa. Please use Door G, Door J, or the accessible Entrance I off Eastern Avenue. Parking is available in all school lots, and all guests will pass through the Evolve security system upon entry. Please note that purchases from vendors and snack stations will be cash only.  

40 Community Hours Required for Graduation – Sign Up for the MLK Day of Service 
Students must complete 40 hours of community service to graduate. If you are a student who needs community service hours, we encourage you to participate in the MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 19 at Joliet Central. There is no school on this day. Volunteers can check in and enjoy breakfast from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m., followed by a short Welcoming Ceremony at 8:20 a.m. Volunteer service takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the event concludes with lunch and entertainment from 12 to 2 p.m. Students receive five community service hours for participating. Complete the MLK Volunteer Sign Up Form by January 2 to participate. This is a volunteer opportunity for people of all ages. Your family members and friends can also sign up to volunteer. 

Now Accepting Applications for the Girls Lead 2025 Program  
The Illinois Council on Women and Girls invites girls across Illinois in grades 5 to 12 to apply for Girls Lead. This program, chaired by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, is a unique job-shadowing and mentoring opportunity. Students who are accepted will have the chance to shadow a woman leader currently serving in Illinois state government. These leaders hold a wide range of influential roles, including members of the General Assembly, policy directors, general counsels, chiefs of staff, agency directors, and more. If you are a student with a strong interest in learning how state government works, this program is designed for you! Participants must be able to spend at least one day in Springfield or Chicago for their shadow experience and are responsible for securing their own transportation. The application deadline has been extended to December 15, don’t wait and apply today! To learn more and submit your application, please click here. 
 
Calling All Community Partners: Reserve Your Free Resource Vendor Table Today! 
We invite community partners to participate as resource vendors at two upcoming events: the State of the District Address on January 29, 2026 (5:00–7:30 p.m.) and the Community Connections Expo on February 10, 2026 (5:00–7:00 p.m.), both at the Joliet West Campus located at 401 N. Larkin Ave. in Joliet. These events offer opportunities to connect with families, students, and local stakeholders while sharing valuable services and information. There is no fee to participate, simply complete the Community Partner Resource Vendor Registration Form by January 15, 2026, to reserve your table and select your event(s). For questions, contact Kristine Schlismann at kschlismann@jths.org. 

JTHS Board of Education Meeting – Dec. 16 
The JTHS Board of Education invites families and the community to their next regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. on December 16 at the JTHS Administrative Center. Agendas are posted at least 48 hours prior to the meetings. If you cannot attend in person, meetings are accessible via live stream. Individuals wishing to make public comments must sign up upon arrival before 6:50 p.m.   
 
Semester 1 Final Exams – Dec. 17 - 19 
Semester 1 final exams will be held December 17–19. Please view the English and Spanish exam schedule for the Central and West campuses HERE. The links to the Final Exam Bus Schedule for December 18 and 19 are listed below. Please encourage students to take advantage of our online tutoring resources if they need help improving their grades. Students can sign up for free online tutoring provided by our JTHS teachers.  

• Central First Semester Final Exam Bus Schedule  

• West First Semester Final Exam Bus Schedule 

 Winter Holiday Break Reminder – Dec. 22 to Jan. 7 
Winter break begins on December 22, 2025, and goes on through January 6, 2026. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. We wish our families a safe holiday and a happy New Year! 

Scholarships for Seniors – Application Deadline March 1  
JTHS is fortunate to have generous donors who provide scholarships specifically for our seniors. We encourage all JTHS seniors to explore and apply for the District Donor and District Committee scholarships. The application deadline is March 1, 2026. Students can also visit the Scholarship Website to explore opportunities posted on the Community Scholarship Board. Scholarships are organized by monthly deadlines, making it easy to plan submissions. Please review all eligibility criteria carefully before applying.